WH Partners is pleased to announce a round of promotions for 2025. In its Malta office, Patrick Massa and Rachel Vella Baldacchino have been promoted to Managing Associates, whilst Owen Agius has been promoted to Accountant. At WH Simion & Partners in Romania, Petruș Partene has been promoted to Managing Associate and Radu Dan Ioniță has been promoted to Associate.
Patrick Massa is a commercial lawyer specialising in technology and intellectual property law. He regularly advises clients on commercial and regulatory matters related to data privacy and digital services, with extensive experience in drafting and negotiating software transfer and licencing agreements. Patrick serves a diverse range of industries, including gaming, technology, and FinTech.
Additionally, he represents clients before key regulatory bodies, including the Malta Information and Data Protection Commissioner's Office, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the Malta Communications Authority.
Rachel Vella Baldacchino is a corporate lawyer focusing on M&A, corporate finance, banking and finance, and competition law, particularly merger control and foreign direct investment (FDI). Dual-qualified as a Maltese advocate and a Solicitor of England and Wales, she advises clients on corporate transactions and financing matters, including financings, venture capital investments, early-stage investments, exits, and corporate restructurings, both on the local market as well as cross-border. She represents both private and public companies.
Rachel's experience includes competition law compliance, coordinating merger control filings, and advising on consumer protection and product safety laws, including food safety. She regularly represents clients before the Maltese Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.
Rachel has been ranked as Rising Star for Commercial, Corporate and M&A by Legal 500 in 2024 and as a Rising Star by Legal 500 in 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Petruș Partene forms part of the WH Simion & Partners team, specialising in data privacy, gambling, intellectual property, and technology & media. He regularly assists clients to comply with data protection regulations and advises on data breach incidents. He assists gaming & gambling clients on regulatory aspects, licencing, and day-to-day operational matters, including representing clients in front of the relevant public Romanian authorities.
Petruș has worked with high-profile clients in various sectors, such as software development, healthcare, marketing, and retail. He also has experience in competition and litigation.
Radu Dan Ioniță regularly assists clients on regulatory issues and corporate and commercial matters. His current area of focus is gaming and gambling law, providing legal guidance to online and land-based operators, as well as other market participants, in matters related to regulatory compliance. Radu also represents clients before the Romanian gambling regulator to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Owen Agius regularly assists clients with accounting and tax compliance matters. He has been engaged by the firm since 2023 and holds a Master's degree in Accountancy. He also possesses a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialisation in Accountancy and Economics.